Brides and grooms in Chatham can get a head start on wedding planning this weekend, all while supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent.
The CK Wedding Show will be held at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre on Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
Nan Stuckey, executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent, says the show is a one-stop shop for someone who is planning a wedding.
"We have more than 80 vendors. We have everything from wedding dresses, to tuxes, to limos, to caterers, someone who is looking for a venue, we now have officiants for someone who doesn't want to have a faith-based service, and decorators," says Stuckey.
Stuckey says couples will also get a chance to see the latest wedding styles on the runway.
"Patricia M. Productions puts on two fashion shows every year at the event. This year, the shows are at 12pm and 3pm. It's just a chance to get to see sort of what's the newest and coolest thing in terms of not just wedding dresses, but in terms of tuxes, mother of the bride [outfits], and bridesmaids dresses," she says.
Stuckey says the concept for the show was donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent nearly 20 years ago. She says the annual event in Chatham usually raises about $20,000, which goes towards the organization's kids mentoring programs, specifically the big sister/little sister matching program.
Stuckey says the organization is looking to raise between $20,000 and $25,000 this weekend.
"Usually we get between 3 to 400 bride and grooms in the event and admission this year is $12, but if the brides want to go ahead and pre-register then they get a $2 off coupon," says Stuckey.